Cal. Civ. Code § 250.404
Exemption of Other Property Located on Premises
Operative Text
The following personal property located on premises occupied by a tenant shall be exempt from levy and sale on distress for rent, i.e., personal property-- (1) Necessarily put in possession of the tenant in the course of his business by those with whom the tenant deals or by those who employ the tenant; (2) Actually held by the tenant for someone else in the course of trade, as agent or as consignee; (3) Sold for a valuable consideration by the tenant before distress to any bona fide purchaser not privy to any fraud; (4) ((4) repealed June 23, 2016, P.L.365, No.51) (5) Of a decedent; (6) Of the United States and its governmental agencies, or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or of any political subdivision thereof; (7) Of any public service company, essential to the performance of its public functions; or, (8) Cattle or stock taken by the tenant to be fed or cared for on the leased premises for a consideration to be paid by the owner. ARTICLE V. RECOVERY OF POSSESSION.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.404, Pennsylvania law carves out specific categories of personal property that a landlord cannot seize through the distress-for-rent process, even when that property is physically located on a tenant's rented premises. The exemptions cover items such as goods held by the tenant on behalf of a third party, property belonging to government entities, property of a deceased person, and livestock being cared for under a separate arrangement. The rule reflects a policy judgment that certain property interests—particularly those belonging to people other than the tenant—should not be exposed to a landlord's rent-collection remedy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators who pursue distress for rent under Pennsylvania law must carefully identify which items on the premises actually belong to the tenant and are subject to levy, because 68 P.S. § 250.404 shields a broad range of third-party and specially categorized property from that remedy. Compliant operators generally verify ownership of goods before initiating any distress action, recognizing that items held by the tenant as an agent, consignee, or caretaker—or property belonging to government bodies or a decedent—fall outside the scope of what may be levied. Misidentifying exempt property as available for distress can expose an operator to legal challenges from the true owners of those goods.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.404, tenants have a basis to assert that certain property on their premises cannot be seized through a landlord's distress-for-rent action—particularly if that property belongs to an employer, a customer, a government entity, or another third party rather than to the tenant personally. Tenants who believe a landlord has improperly levied on exempt property may have grounds to raise that exemption as a defense in any related legal proceeding. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law can help clarify which specific items may qualify for protection under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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